Sword & Shield is the most versatile weapon choice in Monster Hunter Wilds, as it always has been. With new skills introduced in the game, SnS has become significantly better. In this guide, we’ll cover the best Sword & Shield builds in MH Wilds, from early to endgame.
This guide will be updated regularly along with future content!
Sword & Shield Gameplay and Combo
Monster Hunter Wilds has significantly buffed SnS basic attacks. Now, the best combo you can use at all times is the Chop Combo, which revolves around constant basic attacks. What makes it special is Focus Mode, granting you the ability to switch direction and reposition.
The best combo starts by activating Focus Mode, then spamming Triangle in the direction you want. Side Slash and Diagonal Chop are excellent offensive moves that let you attack while repositioning. You can end the combo with Round Slash and Charged Chop (Triangle + Circle).
A new move that further enhances SnS’s versatility is Sliding Swipe, which allows you to slide quickly in your chosen direction. This is crucial for repositioning or dodging attacks. After sliding, you can seamlessly continue with the Chop Combo.
Offensive Guard is a must-have skill for SnS, as you will constantly utilize Perfect Shield timing, engage in Power Clashes, and execute counterattacks.
The Lateral Slash (Circle) combo is only viable when the monster is stunned or paralyzed, as you cannot move while performing this combo.
But what about Perfect Rush? While it was the highest-damage skill in Monster Hunter World, that is no longer the case in Wilds. You only deal the highest damage on the final hit of the combo, making the Chop Combo superior to Perfect Rush.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the best build and progression.
SnS Low Rank Build and Progression
At Low Rank, there isn’t much to look for. The Level 3 Divine Blessing from the default Hope Armor is decent enough to carry you through late Low Rank missions. You can upgrade the helmet and coil to Hirabami, providing that nice Evade Window.
What you mainly need to do to progress is upgrade your weapon. Barina Dague is a great choice to start with, as its paralysis effect can significantly help in your hunts.
Best SnS for Low Rank
- Barina Dague I
- Ajara Saber I
- Balahara Blade I
SnS High Rank Builds and Progression
Before entering High Rank, you can craft this set for extra defense and the Weakness Exploit skill. Level 3 WEX greatly boosts your critical chance, which is exactly what you need to progress quickly and smoothly, especially when using SnS.
It’s recommended to switch to Ajarakan’s weapon, as it provides Offensive Guard, which is the bread-and-butter skill for SnS in Wilds.
Late High Rank
Getting into the late High Rank, where you’ll face tougher monsters, frenzies, and tempered threats, you’ll need a more improved armor set. As iconic as it is important, Rathalos once again reigns supreme. This set allows you to achieve Level 5 Weakness Exploit and Level 3 Offensive Guard (if you use Ajara Saber), more than enough to decimate story mission monsters.
Level 3 Maximum Might is a great bonus if you have the decorations. At this point, it’s best to start crafting the Exploiter Charm, Challenger Charm, and Chain Charm, as they are commonly used in various weapon builds.
Best SnS for High Rank
- Ajara Saber II
- Barina Dague III
- Albirath Edge II
- Rey Kuara II
SnS Best Endgame Builds
SnS is a versatile weapon that can serve as both a damage dealer and a support. However, the best SnS build right now focuses on boosting elemental damage and critical values. Here are the best builds for Sword & Shield in Wilds:
SnS Endgame 4-Gore Raw Crit Build
SnS is a fast-moving, fast-attacking weapon that can hit a monster consecutively without stopping. If combos are performed flawlessly, you will constantly activate skills that boost your affinity and attack power.
Antivirus grants a total of +25% affinity after curing Frenzied state, making it a perfect skill for a fast-hitting weapon like SnS. When combined with Maximum Might, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Boost, you will land constant critical hits on all your attacks, which is extremely satisfying.
Offensive Guard is a must-have, as you will be blocking frequently with SnS. Blocking with SnS is much easier compared to other weapons due to its speed and reaction time, making this skill crucial.
A single level of Burst is never a bad addition, as it further enhances your attack power.
You can switch the weapon to Ajara-Subinda if you want more affinity + blast effect.
SnS Endgame 4-Gore Para Build
This build still utilizes the 4-piece Gore armor, but this time, it features Lala Barina's SnS, making it a powerhouse paralysis build! It's incredibly fun to use, as you can paralyze monsters up to four times per hunt, providing immense value in battle.
Instead of Flayer and Burst, prioritize maxing out Coalescence. This provides an even greater elemental or status buildup, ensuring you can continuously paralyze your target throughout the hunt.
However, this build does sacrifice three levels of Offensive Guard, which isn't a major issue since you can always rely on Sliding Swipe attacks instead of perfectly timed guards.
This is a build you absolutely have to try!
SnS Endgame Element Crit Burst Build
This build is the best if you're using an elemental weapon and prefer elemental matchups against monsters. The build shown focuses on dragon, but you can switch to any element you like—just make sure not to lose the Offensive Guard skill in the process.
This build includes 2-piece Burst Boost and 2-piece Gore, increasing both affinity and elemental attack critical rate.
While this build is excellent overall for SnS, it shines even more against element-heavy monsters like Hirabami or Uth Duna.
SnS Endgame Support Build
(Work in progress, will update if I find a better support build)
If you haven’t noticed, the Hunting Horn isn’t the only support weapon—SnS is also a great choice if your party needs a support role. As a support, the crucial skills to prioritize are Wide-Range, Speed Eating, Free Meal, Recovery Up, and Recovery Speed.
While excellent for healing support, this build is also perfect for crowd control with its paralysis attacks. Lala Acanthopelm is an exceptional paralysis weapon with decent attack power and sharpness. Using this weapon with Level 3 Agitator allows you to contribute some damage, but more importantly, apply status effects to control the battlefield.
Best SnS Weapons for Endgame
- Jager-Ankh
- Ajara-Subinda
- Lala Acanthopelm
- Kuara Clairsword
- Nerskiller
- Viperine Saber
- Corona
- Verdoloto
Whether you're a damage dealer or a support, these SnS builds can serve as a guideline to dominate the endgame content of Monster Hunter Wilds. We will update this page whenever a better build or new meta emerges. In the meantime, try out these builds and customize them to fit your playstyle. Happy hunting!
